I pick up injuries now and again in training, and sometimes carry them into fights, but this was one I simply couldn't recover from in time. I need to rest it up for at least four weeks.

"I apologise to Manuel Charr and to everybody involved with the promotion. But most of all I want to say sorry to the thousands of fans who bought tickets to the fight. I felt it was important to let them know about the cancellation as soon as possible, so they can now make other plans.

"As soon as I am told I can resume full training, my loyal fans will be the first to know."

David Haye has been forced to pull out of his heavyweight bout with Manuel Charr next month after suffering a hand injury in training.

Haye was set to fight for the first time since stopping fellow Briton Dereck Chisora inside five rounds in their controversial bout at Upton Park last July against former world title challenger Charr at the Manchester Arena on June 29.

But after injuring his left hand on Sunday evening, the 32-year-old today announced via a press release that the contest has been postponed and it is not yet clear whether the bout will be re-arranged.